Newspoll shows Abbott gaining after wife’s pitch

The entry of Tony Abbott’s wife Margie into the political fray to defend his attitude to women may have paid off, with the Opposition Leader and the Coalition regaining lost ground in the latest Newspoll.

The poll in The Australian today shows Labor’s primary vote support slipping three percentage points to 33 per cent and the Coalition’s rising four percentage points to 45 per cent.

Based on preferences at the 2010 election, the Coalition’s two-party preferred advantage has returned to a resounding lead of 54 per cent to the ALP’s 46 per cent, compared with 50-50 in the previous Newspoll.

The latest result is similar to the most recent Nielsen poll in The Australian Financial Review on September 17, which had a two-party preferred lead for the Coalition of 53 per cent to 47 per cent, compared with 54 to 46 per cent three weeks earlier.

The Greens’ primary support has fallen from 12 to 10 per cent in Newspoll.

Personal support for the Liberal leader lifted slightly, despite a campaign from Labor ministers attacking Mr Abbott over women’s support and controversial broadcaster Alan Jones.

Newspoll showed voter satisfaction with Mr Abbott rose from a record low of 30 per cent in mid-September to 33 per cent, and dissatisfaction with the way he is doing his job fell from 60 to 55 per cent.

Personal support for Prime Minister Julia Gillard was unchanged with satisfaction at 36 per cent.

As to who would make the better PM, Ms Gillard still held a clear lead of 43 to 33 per cent, compared with 46 to 32 per cent in the previous poll.

Mrs Abbott said last week that a disservice was being done to women when the gender card was played to shift attention away from policy.

“I say to the people who claim that Tony Abbott doesn’t ‘get’ women: you get this, Tony Abbott is surrounded by strong women,’’ Mrs Abbott said. “In fact, not only strong, but capable women.”